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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, February 14, 2014 | 6 It's still relatively new, but that means Family Day traditions are still evolving... what's important is to take a break from winter, have some fun and do it with those closest to you, your family. Whatever you forge as a holiday tradition, it's who you do it with that counts. And there's lots for everyone. Following on the heels of Valentine's Day, this statutory holiday is a day to kick back, kick up and kick the winter blahs out the door. Local residents can look to the Town of Oakville offerings to `Make Your Move' on the day. There are hundreds of free, family-friendly activities and events planned at 12 locations across town, according to the Town's website. This sixth annual roster of activities promises a day lled with free activities and events for all ages and abilities. "I encourage all Oakville residents to celebrate Family Day by enjoying the wonderful recreation, arts and cultural events offered at Town facilities," said Mayor Rob Burton. "Get together, get active and have fun sharing your family traditions -- after all, that's what Family Day is about." The local lineup features hundreds of free activities and special events designed to exercise the mind, body and spirit. You could participate in a variety of classes at local recreation centres, including zumba, table tennis, yoga, or check out the Family Board Game activities at the Oakville Museum. You could tuck into a storytime event at select Oakville Public Library branches; have your photo snapped on a Zamboni at River Oaks Community Centre; or get up close and personal visiting live exotic animals at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. With the support of Tim Hortons, the Town also has free swimming and ice time at participating pools and arenas. "There's something for everyone at every age," said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville. "Free activities and events are being offered at many Town facilities to help families be active and discover the recreation and culture opportunities available year-round." Visit the Town's Family Day webpage at www. oakville.ca for a full schedule of events or pick up a Family Day guide at Town Hall, community centres or libraries, or at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA. And the fun just begins at municipal facilities. There is skating at a variety of neighbourhood and community outdoor rinks around town. Halton's conservation areas are also teeming with fun stuff to do. Other venues, local shops and businesses have holiday specials or family-focused events this weekend. The bottom line is there is lots to do holiday Monday and while it's important to be healthy and active, the most important ingredient to being healthy is to have a happy and healthy family -- whatever your de nition of it may be. Happy Family Day! Lots to do on Family Day Editorial T O R U S S I A , W I T H "Connected to your Community" L E G O 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 20 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor Nolan Muller, 8, with his Sochi 2014-inspired, two-man bobsled run during Oakville Public Library's second annual LEGO building contest for children aged 6-12, last Saturday. For more photos, visit www.oakvillebeaver.com.| photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production Halton is working to be the best Gary Carr Halton Region Chair My View SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution H alton is a great place to live and Regional Council is committed to making scallyresponsible decisions that ensure we provide high-quality services that contribute to your quality of life, making it an ideal place to live, work, raise a family and retire. In December 2013, Regional council approved the 2014 Budget and Business Plan and for the fourth time in eight years (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2014), we were able to reduce property taxes on Regional programs and services while maintaining and enhancing service levels. Over the past eight years, we have either reduced or frozen taxes. This is one of the best records in all of Canada. Again this year, we have achieved a AAA credit rating. This is the highest credit rating and is acknowledgment of Halton's strong nancial position. Our AAA credit rating and reduced taxes demonstrate we have been managing your tax dollars ef ciently and effectively. Regional council is committed to policies that ensure Halton is resident-focused, well planned and safe and healthy. Value to you as a taxpayer is a critical component of decision making at council. We are scally responsible with the Regional budget and have been planning our infrastructure needs (roads, waste management, water/wastewater treatment), so strategic investments now ensure we meet infrastructure needs in the future with minimal impact to you as a taxpayer. We are also focused on services that contribute to a safe and healthy community so you can continue to enjoy a high quality of life in Halton. As a regional government, we continue to build on our record of customer service excellence. In January, our Access Halton group was recognized by the Service Quality Measurement Group (SQM) as a Service Quality Award of Excellence Winner for 2013. Halton received a Highest Customer Service (government) award and survey results indicated 92 per cent of callers were satis ed overall with their call centre experience. These results are a great achievement given that in 2013, Access Halton managed 304,354 calls and 9,282 emails. Great things are happening in Halton. To learn more, take a look at my video blog, The State of the Region, at www.youtube.com/haltonchair. As always, if you have any Regional concerns or comments you would like to share, please feel free to email me at gary .carr@halton.ca. You can also find me on Twitter @garycarrhalton, LinkedIn or Facebook. To receive updates on Regional issues, subscribe to my quarterly e-newsletter, The Carr Report. CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. 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